Workmen's advocate., 1887-04-16

 vented by demagogues, but it is living and vital principle. It rests on labor, exchanges and accumulations of wealth. It does not offer everything for nothing, but it insists that labor shall enjoy, in one form or another, the whole fruits of its toil
 Socialism outrages no law of religion or morality. It exacts nothing without an equitable equivalent It is hated by those who live of the labor of others, because it would abolish their usuries and profits, All the appliances that wealth can control are in hostility to it. And for what? Because it would put an end to the plunder and ensavement of labor. Socialism is the rising giant of the age. All the wrongs and abuses that have cursed men for centuries, will go down before its triumphal progress.
 Many persons ridcule the idea that the people, in their associate capacity as a government, should furnish work for all, and generally control the entire indus tries of the nation; but the people who ridibule this socialistic idea, lose sight of the fact that government of one kind or another, federal, state, township or mu- nicipal, actually regulates, or measur- ably controls, everything but this great vital need of society. If government provides for paupers, which are the pro- duct of a vicious social system, why should st not go a step further and pre- vent pauperism, by providing and own ing and controlling the means of labor, that all may have steady work and retain the full fruits of their labor?
 Certain effects are constantly met with in society, and it has heretofore been the aim of society or government to get rid of these effects without touching the causes, Most of the evils of society can be traced to too much work for some, and too little work for others; but as all governments have been capitalstic, it was not to be expected that they would meddle with usages that worked so well for the capitalists.
 There can never be an equitable or sat sfactory condition for Labor as long as it is dependent upon another class for work and bread. For the work is un- certain, and all the accumulations go to capital. Capital has no regard for any thing but profits, and when these are not satisfactory, wages are reduced or factories are closed, and general distress prevails, Contrast this with the things that government supervises and controls. The prices paid for labor by the govern ment are now regulated by outside prices, but whoever heard of any government employe going without his pay or suing | for it? Clothing and rations are fur nished to armies and navies without failure. Such thing as distress is never heard of. Everything is managed eff ciently It is just as easy to carry on production and distribution, through local and general organizations, as the other things we manage, and thereby save all the vast outlay that now goes to capitalists. Our industrial system is crumbling topieces under its own weight. | If is bllilt mon the hpraIitarv oarv;tulo of Labor as represented by class, and it is impossible to maintain the republic under such conditions. Even now we see large corporations compelling their employees, by fear of dismissal from work. to go to the polls and vote for those who care not for the rights of the laborer, and who are endeavoring to restrict the suffrage to property owners. The idea IS that property shall control everything Having plundered Labor of this proper ty, through class divisions, it is now to be used to render these divisions perpet ual.
 Reader, study this socialistic idea of governmental supervision of our national industries; and the abolition of class dis. tinctions. Labor can fare sumptuousIy by six hours work under such system No more panics or hard times. Steady work and abundant wages for every man and woman. No more strikes or lock outs The workers of the nation decide for themselves just what their hours and wages shall be. Labor must and will be its own master, socially, industrially and politically.